Visible record system



Oct. 13, 1942.

VISIBLE RECORD SYSTEM Filed Jan. 16,. 17941 Fig! 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1,942. M. B. `HALL 2,298,290

VISIBLE RECORD SYSTEM Filed Jan. 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ljeezogwy Patented Oct. 13;, 1942 t i C- VISIBEE RECORD SYSTEM lvlarchan'd1 B; Hall', Chicago, Ill., assignor to Acme Visible4 Records, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofI Delaware- Appiication January 16, 1941', Serial No. 374,631

(Cl. 12g-16) i9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in visible record systems, and particularly to the type wherein means'areprovid'ed whereby' one or more record cards hingedly or swingably mounted upon hangers', disposed' in spaced overlapping relationship upon a suitable support or tray, may be displaced or laterally offset either to the right or left withrespect to' the central or normal position of the remainingv cardsA upon thev tray or supports, and' may be positively maintained in central or in offset position in'. either' direction.

Lateral displacement and positioning means in combination with. visible record systems. as herein contemplated iind use as either temporary, permanent or. periodically variable identification, classiiication, follow up, or like signal aids, as for example, in the classification of postings, credit ratings, payment' or collection follow--ups,'purchase, order, or service reminders and the like. A device adapted for' like use isset forth in United States Patent No. 1,993,510 to Edward' C. Gast, Jr., datedv March4 5, 1935..

The laterally offsetting and positioning means of the present invention is adapted for use in combination with Vconventional visible index frames or supports utilized as trays or drawers of record' cabinets, leaves of' record? books, units of the usualV swingably mounted record o'r index stands and the like, without modication thereof. Likewise, the cardhanger mounting means, as hereinaiter more fully described, are interchange'- able with conventional card hangers not provided with lateral card displacement means, with other card hangers provided with lateral displacement means such as set forth, for example, in my Patent No. 2,246,584 dated June 2g?, 1941*, and if desired, `a single frame or tray may contain several classes of card hangers.

As a feature of the present invention, the card hangers are provided with individual mounting supports, the supports being adapted to be positioned on the tray or holder and retained by the conventional iianges thereof against movement laterally of the frame, so that no friction impediment is set up between the lateral displacement means of adjacent supported cards, and as a result, tendencies of the hangers to buckle, shift, collapse or to become displaced in the holder are eliminated with the result that freedom of lateral movement and positioning of the cards without interference from or Contact with adjacent hangers is maintained at all times. Various other objects and advantages of my invention relating to the utility thereof, its economies, arrangement of parts and momcations thereof, will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View illustrating a fragmentary portion of a record or index unit embodying one form oi my improved oii'set hanger mounting device.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view takenl on the line 2--2 of Fig. l1. Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front face elevational view of a' hanger mount and operatively associated hanger as embodied in Fig. l, the hanger being in normal or central position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3v showing the hanger in right offset position.

Fig. 5' is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the hanger in left ofi-set position.

Fig.v 6 is av perspective View of a wire card hanger, of thev type shown in association with the mounting means in the previous gures.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a wire card hanger of the type embodied' in the following figures:

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View illustrating a fragmentary portion of a record or index unit embodying a modied form of my improved oiset hanger' mounting device.

Fig. 9 lis a rear face elevational view of the hanger mount and operatively associated hanger, embodied in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line l-i of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line Il--ll of Fig. 8.

Fig. l2 is a front elevational view illustrating a fragmentary portion of a record or index unit embodying another modification of my improved hanger mounting device.

Fig. 13 `is a rear face elevational View of the hanger mount and operatively associated hanger, embodied in Fig. l2.

Fig. 1iv is a section on` the line iii-lil of Fig. 12.

In general my improved oliset hanger mounting means comprises two members, one of which is substantially in the form of a conventional card hanger as well known in the art comprising a ilexible wire formed with return end bent portions, the return bent portions being adapted to swingably support a record card by means of eyelets or hinges, the second member being in the form of a relatively fiat flexible metal strip. The strip which comprises the mounting member is adapted to be positioned on a conventional tray or holder by means of the flanges thereof, whereby it is retained against movement laterally of the frame. The hanger is engaged to the mounting strip in a manner whereby it may be offset or be shifted longitudinally thereof, or laterally with respect to the frame the two portions being additionally provided with cooperative means, or the parts having portions, which cooperate for the purpose of yieldably positioning the hanger in a manner whereby it may be retained either in the normally central position or in an oifset position in either direction from said central position, all without shifting or movement ofthe hanger mount in its position on the frame.

Referring to the drawings, 'and particularly Figs. 1 to 6. the conventional card holder frame I 0 provided with channels I I receives the mounting means I 2 by its end portions in a manner similar to that in which ordinary cardhangers are engaged. The hanger, mount I2 comprises a generally ilat elongated strip of metal and is provided adjacent to and slightly inward of its ends with the U bent portions I3. This results Y in the base of the U bent portions being elevated in a plane parallel to and spaced apart from the main body of the mount I2. The base of each of these U portions I3 is provided with an indentation to result in the lugs I4 which extend inwardly or rearwardly, these lugs being of generally elongated formextending longitudinally of the strip I2.

To each of these strips I2 there is engaged a wire hanger I5 by means of its return bent end portions I6 in a manner whereby the body of the hanger generally lies on the front face of the mounting strip I2 withk the return bent end portions looped through the U bends and around the offset legs I 1. These oifset legs I'I are of reduced width so as to permit free sliding action of the hanger I5 at its doubled end portions with respect to the strip I2, the overall width of the strip I2 being substantially equal to the overall width of the hanger I5 and its said end portions. As will be noted, the overall length of the hanger I5 is less than that of the mounting strip I2, and is of a length sufficient to embrace the two spaced apart lugs I4. It will also be noted that the height of the oifsetting legs I1 are such as to permit free sliding movement and clearance of the return bent doubled end portions of the hanger, but the inward projection of the lugs I4 is such as to impede this free sliding movement and to normally maintain the hanger and its mounting strip in the central position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The terminal ends of the hanger I2 are slightly oifset as at I 8 for the reception of the eyelets I9 of an index card 2li, it being understood, however, that although the drawings disclose the record or index-cards to be provided with eyelets a whereby they may be swingably mounted, the index cards may be provided with the conventional hinges well known in the art in lieu of eyelets, and engaged to the hangers by slightly modied offset terminal ends, also conventional in the art.

By grasping an engaged card 2D and shifting it laterally either to the right or left, one of the return bent end portions I6 of the hanger will be caused to flex and slide over its corref sponding positioning lug I4 so as to bring one of the return bent end portions in endwise abutment with a lug I4 as shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 5,

flat elongated strip of metal and is provided adjacent to and slightly inward of its ends with the U bent portions 23. This results in the base of the U bent portions 23 being elevated in a plane parallel to and spaced apart from the main body of the mount 2I. To the mount 2| is engaged the wire hanger 22 by means of its return bent end portions 24 in a manner whereby the body of the hanger generally lies on the front face of the mount 2 I with the return bent end portions looped through the U bends and around the offset legs 25. These olfset legs 25 are of reduced width so as to permit free sliding action of the hanger 22 at its double end portions with respect to the mounting strip 2I, and if desired, the entire U bent portion may be of like reduced width, since I do not provide the base of the Ubend with engagement lugs as in my previously described form. The overall width of the mount strip 2| is, however, substantially equal to the width of the hanger at its double end to be maintained in such position until again i manually displaced.

Figs. 7 to 11 disclose a modified oifset hanger mounting means comprising the hanger mountY 2| supporting in operative association therewith the hanger 22. This mount 2|, similar to mount I2 previously described, is formed of a generally portions so as to maintain the hangers on their engaged mounts in properly spaced apart relationship from adjacent hangers on the frame I0. The overall length of the hanger 22 is less than that of the mounting strip and in the normal central position the length is such that the bent ends of the hanger extend to substantially the mid portion of the U bends. Likewise the height of the offsetting legs of the U bends are such as to permit free sliding movement and clearance of the double end portions of the hanger and to maintain the main stretch of the hanger in close proximity to the face of the strip 2I. The terminal ends of the hanger 22 may be formed as illustrated with offset portions 25 for the reception of eyelets 2I of index card 28, it being understood as set forth in connection with the previously described form, that index cards provided with hinges may be used in a similar manner.

Intermediate of its length the mounting strip 2I is provided with a rib 29 extending transversely thereof, and the hanger 22 is provided intermediate its length with a plurality of crimps, such as the crimps 30, 3l and 32 extending upwardly at an angle to the face of the plane determined by the bent portions 24. It will be noted that although the main portion of the hanger 22 is retained in close relationship to the mounting strip 2I by means of the in-turned bent portions looped through the U bends 23, the hanger 22 may be additionally maintained on the face of the strip by means of the lug 33 struck up toward the front face at the edge of the rib 29, to aid in preventing accidental displacement and for maintaining their operative association.

It can readily be seen that cards 2G carried by hangers 22 may be displaced laterally when dcsired so as to position any of the crimps 30, 3| or 32 in engagement with the rib 29, the ngures showing the crimp 30 engaged to the rib 29 to maintain the hanger in central or normal relationship, and by shifting the card either to the right or to the left engagement will be caused with either crimp SI or crimp 32 respectively. In this manner the cards may be shifted to the right or left of the normal central position, the hangers and associated cards will be maintained against accidental or unintentional displacement. It will be understood, of course, that in addition to the crimps 3I and 32 additional crimps may be formed on the hangers to provide any desired number of offset positions. Further,

llege-98,5290

. although therib'gZSis shown atsubstantiallythe center of the strip 27|',1it Will beunderstoodthat the rib and correspondingly thecrimpSOnIthe hanger maybe formedv atany other; intermedioi. ,the frameIU-sothat'theends oflrthe strip' do notuextend fullybeneaththeiianges4 ibas-for' Y. example, shown in my previously described zform,

rm positioning, against movement VlaterallyV 'of the frame, in the-presentform andlikewise in Vthe previousV form, results fromabutment ofthe outermost, legs 'of'. vthe U bendsagain'st'. the .in-

, turnedmarginaledges ofj the anges I I.

nIt ,Will also `be understood, that although-the form of my invention shown in "Figsgto 11' requires the use ofi'the hanger with crimpsintermediate its length as shown in detail in"Fig. 7, this same form of hanger may .-,beusedv in'` cooperative relationshipwith the mount I2Ldescribed in Figs. 1 tof5, although in suchxrelation'ship' the crimps Will be without utility. .It Nvillhowever, be seen that asingleform ofnhangery suchlas shown inl1ig. ,'7 may be used if fdesired for the purposes of economy with eitherl oflthev two`foregoing V forms of my invention, or `Withlthe' third form of my invention .subsequently described.

`Figs. 12 to 14 illustrate.;another Vmodification vof my invention wherein the ,laterally ,offset mounting means comprises ;.the'.I generally l'flat elongated metallic stripizpositioned on the frame or holder `Hl by means ofltheglangesl II, the length of the strip beingv such as1to extend fullybeneath thelflanges, Il :andV to .cause "itto be positioned against movement laterallyloi the frame. Positioned on the frontiaceaof thestr'ip 34and slidably-engaged zthereto bymeans .of a

plurality of lips-,'is the'hangeriZ. The Width ofthe strip v3d is substantially. equal tolthat-f the hanger 4 2E-at its double returnbentend-portion-24. This strip, similar ,-'to :strip ;2l,v.is Tprovided with a rib 35 intermediate .-its -.len'gt-h for .cooperativeengagement Withthe crimps-SQ, 3| and 32 of the hanger 122, for .cooperative offsetting relationship-in the manner describedwith respect to thehanger 22 and-mount s2-'l :of 'JF-lgs. 8 to 11.

v It will thus be seen that in the several 'forms of my invention I ,provide essentially .a :mounting strip whichis adapted to .be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder :frame 'therefor against lateralmovement ,of the frame, iha'ving `a Wire card vhanger adapted :to swingablybsuplport a record card, in slidableengagemen't and operative association with 'the.strip, the .mounting strip being provided With one '.or :more surface projections adapted to cause lyieldable iengagement with hanger portions, the .hangers .being known to the art, whereby although. the

mounting strip remains in position vagainst l'ateral movement, the hanger and associated card may be moved laterally into .a V,predetern'iined and yieldably retained laterally offset position, the associated portions of the mounting means comprising a iirm and rugged device and which maintains adjacent laterally movable hangers in spaced apart relationship with each other When positioned on a holder frame, and permits them to operate freely and positively at all times.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a visible card systen, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable means for mounting card hangers positioned Vtherein against movement laterally ofthe-frame,

elongated transversely extending card hangers means and movable laterally to an onset-position .with-respect -thereto and to said frame, each `of said-card hangers having means for supporting afcard'forpivotal movement relative to said hangers.

l2. In a visible card system, Ythe combination With a frame Vhaving guide channels of detachable-hanger mounting means positioned therein againstmovementlaterally of the frame, -flexible 'elongated transversely extending lhangers yslidably supported 'onl'and operatively V4associatled with said -mounting means,-e'ach of said hangers having meansfor supporting a card for vpivotal-movement relative toY said hangers, said cards and associated hangers being movable lat- 'erally -to loffset positions with `respect Ato said mounting means and said frame.A

"3. lIn a visible card system, the combination withva framefhaving guide channels of a flexible transversely extending card hanger operatively associated with and s lidably supported by a detachable mounting means therefor, said hanger having means for supporting a card for pivotal movementrelative thereto, said mounting means `being positioned Within said channels against movement laterally of the frame, and a card swingably vcarried by said hanger, said hanger and. oarried'card-being movable laterally to an loiset position With respect to said mounting means and said Tframe.

4. In a visible card system, the combination with a -frame having guide channels of detachable card hanger vmounting supports positioned therein-against movement laterally of the frame, exible elongated transversely extending card hangers 'slidably engaged` to 'said mounting supports and'cards carried by said hangers in pivotal relation thereto, said hangers and Vcards being laterally displaceable with respect to said frame, and means vvon each loi? said hangers in operative 'association with *means on va Ycorresponding one of said supports for retaining said hanger in desired position on said frame.

5. In y.a visible 'card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels 'of detachable 'card hanger mounting supports positioned therein against movement laterally to the frame, iiexible velongated transversely extending hangers slidably rengaged to said mounting supports, cards engaged to said hangers by swingable mounting means and being normally centrally positioned on said frame and `laterally displaceable in either direction from said central position, and means on said hangers in operative association and engageable with means on said supports for retaining said hangers and carried cards in desired position on said supports and frame.

6.-In a visible card system, the combination with aframe having guide channels of a flexible elongated transversely extending card hanger operatively associated With and slidably supported by a detachable mounting means therefor, the said mounting means being positioned Within said channelsjagainst movement laterally of the frame, and a card carried by said hanger in pivotal relation thereto, the said hanger and carried card being movable laterally to an offset position with respect to said mounting means and said frame, and means for retaining said hanger'in desired position comprising a surface pijec'ti'z'i on said support yieldably engageable with a portion of said hanger.

7.-In a visible card system, the combination.

lwith a frame having guide channels of a flexible elongated transversely extending card hanger' 5 operatively associated with and slidably supported by a detachable mounting means therefor, said mounting means being positioned within said channels against movement laterally of the frame, a card carried by said hanger in pivotaL relation thereto, said hanger and carried card. being movable laterally to an offset position with respect to said mounting means and said frame, and means for retaining said hanger in desired position comprising lugs projecting from the surface of said support adjacent the ends thereof for yieldable engagement and abutment with end loop portions of said hangers.

8. In a visible card system, the combination -with a frame having guide channels of a exible card hanger operatively associated with and slidably supported by a detachable mounting meansl therefor, said mounting means being positioned within said channels against movement laterally of the frame, a card swingably carried by said .35 hanger, said hanger and carried card being movable laterally to an offset position with respect.

to said mounting means and said frame, and means for retaining said hanger in desired position comprising a rib formed on said support for ze engagement with crimps on said hanger.

9. In a visible card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable card hanger mounting supports comprising exible elongated strips positioned therein 3,; against movement laterally of the frame, each of said support strips carrying a card hanger slidably engaged therewith and a card swingably engaged to said hanger by swingable mounting means, and means onrsaid support strip for engagement with a hanger portion to retain said hanger and card in desired central or laterally oifset position with respect to its support and said frame.

10. In a visible card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable card hanger mounting supports comprising flexible elongated strips positioned therein against movement laterally of the frame, each of said support strips carrying a flexible card hanger slidably engaged therewith and a card swingably engaged to said hanger, and means on said support strip comprising a rib intermediate the ends thereof for yieldable engagement by positioning crimps formed on the hanger intermediate its end portions to retain said hanger and card in desired central or laterally offset position with respect to its support and said frame.

11. In a visible card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable hanger mounts comprising flexible elongated strips positioned therein against movement laterally of the frame, each of said strips carrying a flexible card hanger having a card swingably engaged therewith, said hanger and card being shiftable laterally to an oiset position with respect to its mount and said frame and operatively associated with said mount, and hanger end loop portions extending within U-bent portions formed adjacent the ends of the mount retaining said hanger in slidable engagement with its mount.

12. In a visible card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable hanger mounts comprising flexible elongated strips positioned therein against movement laterally of the frame, each'of said strips carrying a flexible card hanger having a card swingably engaged therewith, said hanger and card being shiftable laterally to an offset position with respect to its mount and said frame and operatively associated with said mount, return bent hanger end portions extending within U-bent portions formed adjacent the ends of the mount retaining said hanger in slidable engagement with its mount, and means for retaining said hanger and card in desired position comprising a rib intermediate the ends of said mount for yieldable engagement by positioning crimps on the hanger.

13. In a visible card system, the combination with a frame having guide channels of detachable hanger mounts comprising flexible elongated strips positioned therein against movement laterally of the frame, each of said strips carrying a flexible card hanger having a card swingably engaged therewith, said hanger and card being :shiftable laterally to an offset position with respect to its mount and said frame and operatively associated with said mount, return bent hanger end portions extending within U-bent portions formed adjacent the ends of the mount retaining said hanger in slidable engagement with its mount retaining said hanger in slidable engagement with its mount, and means for retaining said hanger and card in desired position comprising a lug projecting inwardly from the base of each of said U-bent portions for yieldable engagement and abutment with a corresponding return bent hanger portion.

14. An offset mounting device of the class described comprising a flexible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and posi tioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a exible elongated metallic card hanger extending longitudinally thereof adapted to support a card in swingable relation thereto, said card being in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip and being movable laterally to an offset position in relation thereto.

15. An offset mounting device of the class described comprising a flexible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a flexible elongated card hanger, adapted to support a card in pivotal relation to said hanger, said hanger being in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip extending longitudinally thereof and being movable laterally to an offset position in relation thereto, and means for retaining said hanger in desired central or laterally offset position comprising a surface projection on said strip for yieldable engagement with means on said hanger.

16. An olfset mounting device of the class described comprising a flexible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a flexible card hanger, adapted to swingably support a card in pivotal relation to said hanger, said hanger being in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip extending longitudinally thereof and being movable laterally to an offset position in relation thereto, and means for retaining said hanger in desired central or laterally offset position comprising lugs projecting from the surface of said strip adjacent the ends thereof for yieldable engagement and abutment with looped end portions of said hanger,

17. An oiset mounting device of the class described comprising a exible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a flexible card hanger adapted to swingably support a card in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip and being movable laterally to an offset position in relation thereto, and means for retaining said hanger in desired central or laterally offset position comprising a rib formed on said strip for yieldable engagement with crimps on said hanger.

18. An offset mounting device of the class described comprising a flexible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a exible card hanger adapted to swingably support a card in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip and being movable laterally to an oiset position in relation thereto, return bent end portions of said hanger extending Within U-bent end portions of said strip retaining said hanger in slidable engagement therewith.

19. An offset mounting device of the class described comprising a iiexible hanger mounting strip adapted to be detachably mounted and positioned on a holder frame therefor against movement laterally of the frame, and a flexible card hanger adapted to sWingably support a card in slidable engagement and operative association with said strip and being movable laterally to an oset position in relation thereto, return bent end portions of said hanger extending within U-bent end portions of said strip retaining said hanger in slidable engagement therewith, and means for retaining said hanger in desired central or laterally offset position comprising a lug projecting inwardly from the base of each of said U-bent portions for yieldable engagement and abutment with a corresponding return bent hanger end portion.

MARCHAND B. HALL. 

